Time to Get Nutty - Part One

Friday, December 12-

As the holidays roll in, with the chilling breezes and dancing snowflakes, there is one thing that is also on my mind - Nutcracker (story of this magical ballet here).  My studio holds our own small production, and there is also the more "grand" show by Ballet West.  For some reason, I decided to really overload my plate by deciding to do both!  So glad I did it, but I am at the end of my rope, especially energy wise.  However, it's almost over... as in tomorrow.  Tomorrow is my studio's Nutcracker production, and it's a pretty impressive show for the small town of Park City. It's a time for all of us dancers and our coaches to just enjoy all of our hard work.

The Ballet West production is just as fun, but more serious and I don't get to spend it with close friends.  Actually though, that was one thing that was very enjoyable... meeting new girls who have a similar dedication to ballet as me (there are girls like that at my studio, as well).  Because it's a professional company, they have a lot of shows, which meant that I was the role of a Page for about a dozen shows.  A lot compared to the usual "one-day/ two-shows" thing at my studio. Every performance was unbelievably amazing; being a part of a professional ballet performance. Not only that, but being onstage watching the dancers of the company that I aspire to (Beckanne Sisk's lines are that much more better - hard to believe - when you're only five feet away).  The experience was unreal and definitely one for the books!

Ballet West Nutcracker!

Then came my studio's Nutcracker.

(early) Saturday, December 13-

Today is the big day! But one thing is missing, my motivation.  The moment when I need to be perkiest, is when I don't want to get out of bed.  It was as though I hit a wall.  "I just need sleep, tell them I'll come eventually," I blatantly told my mom.  All I can think about is the twelve hours I would be spending at the theatre... with the people I see everyday... and teachers snapping at us under the show-day stress.... the make-up soon to be caked on my face... the itchy (but pretty) costumes.  My glass was half empty, maybe even two thirds empty.  I know that I can't not show up, so I need to get ready as fast I can to make up for the time I am losing lying in my bed...venting to my blog.  See you in a bit, hopefully in a better mood.

One of my favorite dances, Snow (picture courtesy of http://www.nycballet.com/)

(noon-ish) Saturday, December 13-

I'm definitely very emotional, but feeling much better about what's in front of me.  I arrived late, and got into the dressing room with nowhere to put my stuff (not a surprise), and got teary-eyed for no reason.  Tears just starting to erupt.  I was feeling frustrated, like that of a volcano slowly exploding.  I held back a little longer, and went to the stage for dress rehearsal.

Dress rehearsal went okay, as usual, which means people are going to bring their A-game.  A crappy dress rehearsal calls for a great show, right?  For me, there was just timing and spacing issues, and I'm crossing my fingers it will all come together.  But now that I am feeling much better, I am heading to catch a yummy lunch with some buds.  "Merde" (check the Tiny Tips page for info on that ballet word) to all the dancers, see you an hour before the show!


My Nutty Experienced To Be Continued...

                                                                 -Hayden

Port De Bras and All That Jazz

As you may or may not have noticed, I have been writing my blogs in order from head to toe, therefore the title, "Bun to Ballet Shoes". That is only related to the blogs on physical attributes of a ballerina, not necessarily the super personal ones. Today, my blog is a mix of the two. Since I last did the "ballet bun", today I will be talking about port de bras (again, refer to my dictionary), the often unnoticed aspect when watching a ballet. Port de bras refers to the movement of your upper back and arms. When you see professional ballerinas perform, they are mesmerizing, and it's hard not to focus on the big, grand movements because, well, they're big and amazing. But what is often less noticed, is their arms and the control and energy that goes through them. Ballet wouldn't be nearly as graceful without them, they are just doing the more subtle movements.

In class, you are constantly thinking, "What do I need to fix, now?" and do your best, with the teachers help, to fix it. It sounds a lot easier than it is. There are sooooooo many things to focus on in just one simple combination...sometimes, it is a little overwhelming. That's what makes this art so exciting, though! You always have something to work on, and for me at the moment, it's my port de bras. This has been an issue for me for a while, and now it is REALLY becoming an issue.

My brain sends requests for my leg to go there, my foot to point, engage this muscle, relax that one...and so on. For some reason, my arms aren't getting their messages all the time. Yes, Houston, as in my brain, we do have a problem. If I don't focus on just my port de bras, and port de bras only, I don't use them in the right way. Instead of using my arms to continue each movement and hold them stable, they start to droop. The thing that I have to focus on when trying to fix this, is to engage my upper back to relieve some of the stress from my skinny little arm muscles. If I just lock my shoulder blades in the right position, I still have that range of motion, but I am using my muscles, rather than just placing them. I like to think of it like I'm moving through peanut butter... it adds much more artistry to my dancing. In the video of Polina Semionova, try to just watch her upper body movements to notice how much they add to her dancing.

While I am still trying to figure that out, it will be the bane of my dancing. But because I see the beauty in it when watching other ballet dancers, I am really aware of its importance. I just need to really "feel the peanut butter", and maybe, some arm strengthening as well. In fact, we can both check out this video on upper body strengthening and posture.

Hayden